Verse of the Day - weekend 8/13

Through the Bible - Psalms 87-90, 1 Peter 3-4

 

Today's New Testament reading in 1 Peter 3 goes along well with what we've been considering recently.  We should not be backbiters, slanders, and gossips but instead we should respect others, "all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, ⁹ not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing." -1 Peter 3:8-9

 

This isn't a message just for some of us, but for any of us who are "deeply committed" as we read in verses 13 and 15 which will serve for this weekends verses.

 

1 Peter 3:13,15  (HCSB study Bible) " And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, ¹⁵ but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

 

We should be deeply committed if we realize the depth of His love for us.  What He endured for us showed the ultimate commitment to what is good?

The Deep Deep Love of Jesus

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean full of blessing, 'tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Jeromy Acton, our worship and music Pastor recently recorded his modernized version of this hymn, "The Deep".  I'm sure it was an inspiration to all who heard it last night.  Have you experienced it?

 

If we have experienced the deep, deep love of Jesus we should be deeply committed to Him.  And if we are, we should be ready to give a defense for our belief in any season or place in life.

 

1 Peter 3:18(ESV)For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Peter 3:13-18

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Undeserved Suffering

 ¹³ And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, ¹⁵ but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. ¹⁶ However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

    ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,

    the righteous for the unrighteous,

    that He might bring you to God,

    after being put to death in the fleshly realm

    but made alive in the spiritual realm.